HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Competition good for business climate, officials say

Hillsboro economic development director Clint Seibel said he has heard reactions ranging all through the spectrum from optimistic to pessimistic since the news that a national company — the identity of which is still a mystery to everyone except the mayor — planned to build a store in Hillsboro. He has heard from some businesses that are excited about the prospect of more people shopping in town helping their businesses, but he has also heard from businesses that are worried about additional competition in town.

City elections are Tuesday

Only three races across the county for city positions will be contested April 1. Residents voting for city council seats in Hillsboro can vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the city building.

Whooping cranes spotted near Aulne

Those traveling down Quail Creek Rd. near 140th Rd. may have noticed some large strange looking white birds. Those who noticed the birds for what they were could not get home to get their cameras fast enough. There are only around 600 wild whooping cranes according to Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, nine of which stayed to rest in a disked milo field near Aulne. The landowner, Eugene Just, had sowed oats in the field.

6 towns battle 16-mile-wide pasture blaze and other fires

Multiple controlled pasture fires — including one that grew as large as 16 miles wide — raged out of control this past week as multiple fire departments were required on at least two occasions. The largest fire, near where Marion, Chase, and Morris counties meet, required the combined efforts of six fire departments Thursday.

Chingawassa picks contemporary country duo to headline

Chingawassa Days is continuing its trend toward attracting more contemporary acts for its headline show with Love and Theft as the main act for 2014, the committee announced Monday. Love and Theft is a country duo, formerly a trio, formed in 2006 in Nashville composed of members Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles. Their first album, 2009’s

Couple preparing for mission to Czech Republic

Justin and Brooke (Johnson) Lenhardt of Marion are preparing for a mission trip to the Czech Republic and will give a presentation April 6 about past mission trips to the Central European country. Brooke, a 2010 Marion High School graduate, went on a mission to the Czech Republic in the summer of 2011 with Josiah Venture, an organization that focuses its mission efforts on Central and Eastern Europe.

High winds change burn ban

Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier ignited a discussion about changing the parameters of the county’s burn ban protocol Monday when he met with county commissioners. Because of controlled burns that had gotten out of control from Thursday through the weekend, Regnier notified commissioners that the majority of fire chiefs within the county were in favor of a ban. He said dry weather and changing of wind direction has led to many of the recent fires.

Historic Elgin Hotel listed for sale

One of Marion’s most revered landmarks, the Historic Elgin Hotel, is for sale. The property is listed with J.P. Weigand & Sons Realtors of Wichita. Owners Jim and Nancy Cloutier bought the Elgin in 2006 when it was an apartment building. They restored it to its 1870s glory, converting the first and second floors into a bed and breakfast and the third floor into their family residence.

Tabor concert choir ends tour at home

During spring break last week, the Tabor College concert choir traveled to five states and performed 11 concerts. They will end their tour at home with a final concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

Council waits for committee opinion before purchasing fire truck

Hillsboro City Council postponed buying two vehicles for the fire department on Tuesday, even though doing so could lose the department the opportunity to purchase one. The council decided instead to wait until a committee could be formed and its recommendation could be heard. The council made a motion to form the committee. Mayor Delores Dalke nominated Dale Klassen, Jim Ensz, Ron Matz, Clark Wiebe, Jerry Jost, and Craig Leppke and recommended fire chief Ben Steketee convene a meeting as soon as possible so the council could make a decision in a special meeting this week.

Health boosters to teach using humor

As part of Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning program Friday, Al Schmidt, a behavioral educator at Via Christi, will show attendees how humor contributes to good health. Schmidt and Tabor director of alumni Marlene Fast will play guitar and keyboard as part of the program. It will begin at 9:45 a.m. in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Beverly Goering

Beverly Ann (Benson) Goering, 76, of Galva died March 10. A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion. A private burial service was at Lone Star Cemetery of Pretty Prairie.

Adolph Holub

Adolph Mathias “Ed” Holub, 73, of Wamego died March 17 at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka after a brief illness. He was born July 4, 1940, in Marion to Louis and Mary (Tajchman) Holub. He was raised on the family farm near Tampa. When he was 9, he was stricken with polio, which left him wheelchair dependent.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

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Marriage licenses issued

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Fire conditions require faster action

I’m watching snow fall outside my office as I write this, just a couple hours after listening to emergency dispatches about large grass fires that took multiple fire departments to extinguish, then had to be re-extinguished after being reignited by a single hot spot, and I’m glad to hear the county is trying to devise a better system for limiting burning when conditions are ripe for fires to get out of control. Currently, when a farmer, rancher, or road and bridge crew wants to have a controlled burn, they are supposed to call the county communications office to notify the county — notify, not ask if fires are allowed. Dispatchers can let callers know that there is a fire weather warning if conditions are dry and windy, but they can’t stop someone from burning unless the county commission has approved a burn ban ordinance.

World news hits close to home

With so much of world news these days focusing on Ukraine and Crimea, many residents of this area of Kansas are reminded of our ancestors who came from that area in the last quarter of the 19th century. Ukraine was largely undeveloped in the late 1700s when Catherine the Great, the Russian empress, invited Mennonites and others from Europe to settle the area, promising freedom from military service.

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Spring play doesn't seek cheap laughs

When director Bob Woelk was looking for ideas for Hillsboro High School’s spring play, he knew he didn’t want a comedy that relied too much on slapstick, and he wasn’t sure he wanted a comedy at all. At a rehearsal Friday, he said physical comedies have a tendency to run out of steam toward the end. When he read “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick, he thought it could be a good fit. It is a comedy, but more “cerebral,” he said. Cast members liked it when they read it, so it was an easy decision to choose.

High school concert Tuesday

The Hillsboro High School band and vocal ensembles will perform their contest selection at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium. The concert is in preparation of the groups’ performances at state in April. Small ensemble and solos will compete at regionals Saturday at Tabor College.

Tabor Concert choir ends tour

During spring break last week, the Tabor College concert choir traveled to five states and performed 11 concerts. They will end their tour at home with a final concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

Tabor baseball sweeps Ottawa

Tabor College baseball improved to 24-5 on the season last week after winning all four games in a doubleheader with Ottawa University. Thursday in Ottawa, the Bluejays pounded the Braves 9-2 and 16-9. Tabor remained unbeaten at home Saturday when the Braves visited Hillsboro, winning 7-1 and 9-0.

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